Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Partnership
George Fox University undergraduate students now have access to an enhanced admissions pathway program when applying to medical school through George Fox’s partnership with A.T. Still University-School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (ATSU-SOMA).
For students who feel called to medicine, this pathway program provides a significant opportunity: pursue your undergraduate degree at George Fox while positioning yourself for a direct, supported path into medical school.
What This Means for You
Through this partnership, eligible George Fox students will be given preferential consideration for an admissions interview with ATSU-SOMA.
Students admitted to ATSU will:
- Complete their first two years of medical school at ATSU-SOMA in Mesa, Arizona as a designated George Fox Pathway Scholar
- Return to ATSU-SOMA’s community partner site in Portland, Oregon, for required clinical rotations in years three and four, with many placements in Newberg and throughout the state
This means you can begin your journey at George Fox and, if admitted to ATSU-SOMA, return home to serve communities in Oregon during your clinical training.
What is a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine?
A Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) is a fully licensed physician in the United States who practices a whole-person approach to care. Like an MD, a DO can prescribe medication, perform surgery, and practice in any specialty in all 50 states.
What distinguishes a DO is a philosophy that views the body as an interconnected system with an innate ability to heal and emphasizes the integration of body, mind and spirit in patient care.
In addition to standard medical training, DOs complete hundreds of extra hours in osteopathic manipulative medical training, using hands-on techniques to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal issues. Many DOs pursue primary care, focusing on comprehensive, relationship-centered medicine.
Who is eligible?
Any George Fox undergraduate student can pursue this pathway. There is no single required major.
Students may choose to:
- Major in biology
- Major in biochemistry
- Major in biomedical engineering
- Or pursue another major while completing the required pre-med prerequisites
To qualify for the preferred admissions pathway, students must:
- Complete all required pre-med prerequisites
- Earn approximately a 3.5 GPA or higher
- Achieve the recommended MCAT score of 507 or higher
- Submit an application through the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine application portal in June after junior year
- Obtain a recommendation from a George Fox faculty member
Qualified students will receive a warm handoff written recommendation from George Fox faculty to ATSU-SOMA, resulting in preferential consideration for an admissions interview.
More details about the application process timeline are available on the A.T. Still premedical student checklist.
Why start at George Fox?
This partnership strengthens what already makes George Fox distinct:
- Close faculty mentorship and strong letters of recommendation
- Integration of faith and vocation in the study of medicine
- Early access to advising and preparation beginning freshman year
- Opportunities to serve locally and globally
Because our faculty know you personally, they are deeply invested in helping you meet the academic and professional standards required for medical school.
Why choose A.T. Still University for medical school?
The ATSU-SOMA Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program is an outstanding option for George Fox students who aspire to become physicians, especially those drawn to a faith-informed, service-oriented approach to care. Grounded in osteopathic principles, ATSU-SOMA emphasizes holistic, whole-person medicine – training doctors to consider the mind, body and spirit while equipping them with strong clinical skills and a commitment to serving diverse and underserved communities.
A Pathway That Starts Early
Students can enter this pathway as early as their freshman year at George Fox. Juniors are especially well-positioned to apply.
In addition, George Fox is expanding outreach to high school students interested in medicine through a developing pre-med initiative, helping future physicians envision and prepare for their calling even before college.
The Big Picture
Medical school admissions are highly competitive. This partnership provides something rare:
- A clearly defined pathway
- A guaranteed admissions interview
- The opportunity to return to Oregon for clinical training
For students who meet the academic standards and are committed to the calling of medicine, this is an extraordinary opportunity to begin at George Fox and continue into medical school with strong institutional support.
If you’re interested in becoming a physician, connect with our admissions team or pre-health advisors to learn how to begin preparing for this preferred admissions pathway.